Automated transaction machine

ABSTRACT

An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/180,558, filed on Nov. 6, 1998, which is a national stage ofPCT/US97/08089 which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/017,533 filed May 10, 1996, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to retail terminals for automated transactions anda unique system design therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For decades, retail sales and services have been automated to greater orlesser degrees. Historically in many European countries, shopkeepers ofbakeries and other purveyors have long provided simple vending machinesto dispense their products at their street entrances after businesshours. More ambitiously automated restaurants are already legendary inthe history of the United States. Other and more recent entrants in theautomated retail sales and service industries include automated tellermachines (ATMs), custom greeting card kiosks, automated lottery machinesand other home and commercial business terminals including variousInternet services available via personal computer.

Retail terminal technology generally, however, has been pervaded by afundamental flaw which itself has gone completely unrecognized. Thisflaw becomes apparent when one considers the piecemeal character ofretail terminals of all types in the applicable prior art. Without anyknown exception, automated retail functions are provided only to addressparticular and narrow needs. An ATM may dispense postage stamps, buttreats the stamp sheets virtually as an alternate currency in a limitedmenu of deposit and cash access services. Lottery machines dispenselottery tickets; insurance machines dispense insurance policies; andfancy pay telephones and the most advanced home computers functionprimarily as old-fashioned credit card order lines for the variousproducts and services available online. In short, even in the mostrecent instances the only advantage in retail automation has been thesame as it has been for many years—the elimination of the humanattendant.

A need thus remains for an innovation in the area of automated retailgoods and services in which an automated transaction machine does morethan merely provide existing goods and services in a simple automatedway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet this need, the present invention is an automated retailterminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services is provided in anintegrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicatinghardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or servicesoffered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the samecredit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and theInternet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATMfunctions and the Internet functions, and etc. The overallimportance—and the details concerning—the integrated system aspect ofthe present automated transaction terminal will become more apparent inthe foregoing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic entitled “CONCEPT” which illustrates the variousexisting goods arid services machines which can be combined inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic entitled “REALITY” which illustrates the variousexisting goods and services machines which can be combined in accordancewith the present invention;

FIGS. 3 a-3 e are schematics which show various combinations ofintegrated systems according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a control panel according to apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the same mechanics as shown in FIG.4 but with the control panel removed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the inventionwhich combines multiple transaction stations in a kiosk, which mighthouse any retail function, such as automobile service and refueling orfast food dispensing or vending; and

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are side elevational views of a yet further embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an automated transaction machine comprising anautomated retail terminal which provides a plurality of goods and/orservices from an integrated and automated system. Two or more goodsand/or services are provided not only in combinations heretoforeunavailable, but in an integrated system design in which duplication ofeffort (and hardware) is largely or completely eliminated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of machines is shown whichcan be combined in a single integrated system according to the presentinvention. However, not all the machines shown need be combined. Theinvention can be simply the combination of a telephone and a juke box,for example, with the hardware and functions of credit or smart cardreading (or encoding), computer hardware and software and audio soundproduction and reproduction being shared. However, the preferredembodiments of the present invention include an integrated but otherwisetraditional ATM, so as to enhance the overall retail sales and servicesoffering by coordinating payment arrangements and generalized bankingservices with the retail transaction(s). This combination of providingan ATM with other retail goods and services transactions is not onlynew, but would heretofore have been considered virtually heretical.

The essence of the preferred embodiments of the invention thus residesin the new combination of previously existing but separate means ofaccess to the stream of daily commerce and banking. Meaningfulcombinations of ATMs and customer retail kiosks have never even beenattempted before, possibly because the two technologies have undergoneburgeoning technological growth in separately focused directions. Forexample, certain telephone systems have been promoted as the “ATMs ofthe future,” providing credit card recognition for instant, albeitremote, execution of retail services. Some ATMs dispense both bills andcoin change, and offer services such as on-site check cashing withpayment of the exact check amount in bills and/or coins. As describedabove, ATMs in the past have offered limited retail sales options suchas the vending of postage stamps via the bill dispenser. But there hasnot been, heretofore, a meaningful incarnation of a single system, whichan individual consumer can use in a single location, wherein realbanking services, and real commercial and banking services, have beencombined. Because it is difficult to define objectively, however, thatwhich constitutes real or meaningful banking or retail services, thepreferred embodiments of the invention are best characterized asproviding a retail terminal offering at least two immediately accessiblegoods or services and selectively dispensing at least two forms ofdispensable currency, to emphasize the novel plurality of uniquelycombined system means intrinsic to the present invention. The system forproviding these multiple services or goods is integrated, moreover; theinvention does not comprise the mere freestanding combination of anexisting ATM and an existing retail terminal in adjacent proximity.

One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is thatdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/643,827 entitled“Automated League and Tournament Device.” Two goods or services offeredare ATM services and game league services, and the two forms ofdispensable currency take the form of bills from the bill safe/dispenserand the encodable credit made possible by the smart card encodertherein. Widespread variability is possible with respect to suchcombinations.

Another embodiment of the invention includes the following components. Afree-standing or wall mounted ATM with traditional ATM hardware,software and banking network connections (and including a bill safe,bill dispenser, magnetic stripe card reader, keyboard and video screen)is augmented with additional means as follows. The ATM is fitted with asmart card reader/encoder, so that in addition to the traditional billdispenser the ATM can dispense encodable currency onto a smart card orits equivalent (a PC card, a removable hard drive, or other means forencoding digital cash or electronic cash of various types.) The videoscreen is a touchscreen; internal software provides a first screen menufor selection of traditional ATM services and at least two additionalimmediate access retail services, which are selected from the groupconsisting of electromechanical games of skill services, smartcardservices, insurance services, restaurant services, travel services,sports services, gaming device services, delivery services, couponservices, floral delivery services, gift basket delivery services,introduction services, audio services, news services transportationservices, utility services, physician services, school services,security services, building services, credit services, directoryservices, home services, military services, personal services,automotive services, employment services, recreational services,travelers check services, children's services, videogames of skillservices, Internet services, brokerage services, government services,entertainment services, library services, catalogue services, printservices, diagnostic services, chat services, video services, databaseservices, barter services, engineering services, pharmacy services,identification services, detective services, church services, loanservices, training services, buying services, recruitment services,accounting services, photographic services, food services, radioservices, credit services, theme park services, music services,financial services, full-line vending services, health care services,remote access services, payment services, computer services, searchservices, network services, subscription services, virtual realityservices, advertising services, rental services, programming services,beverage services, credit/debit card services, freight services, storedvalue card services, beauty services, tax services, leasing services,medical services, emergency services, publishing services, counselingservices, satellite services, screening services, real estate services,telephone services, ticket services, television services, datingservices, information services, lottery services, software services,reservation services, communication services, Intranet services, adultservices, referral services, repair services, legal services, consultingservices, maintenance services, moving services, trade show services,design services, lodging services, mail services, fast food services,automated services, recording services, clothing services, wirelessservices, human services, and encryption services. For the purpose ofthis embodiment, the form such second service takes must be animmediately realizable service, with a good or service being generallyimmediately rendered to the individual using the system (airline ortheatre tickets being printed on the spot, for example) or beingseparately commenced (initiation of a delivery of flowers in a remotecity, for example). It is readily apparent that this combination systemis quite different from any of prior art ATMS, telephone ATMs “of thefuture,” or even personal computer Internet connections which mayprovide retail functions but do give access to at least two forms ofdispensable currency.

The most preferred embodiments of the present invention include meansfor providing at least two retail services which are not onlyimmediately, realizable but are also immediately accessible to theindividual user. Preferred immediate access services include game ofskill services, music (juke box) services, vending, publishing(customized newspapers printed on the spot, for example), dating, smartcard encryption, travel and entertainment ticketing, and financial,insurance and brokerage services. The consumer appeal of synthesizedcommercial and retail services with banking services is enormous, whichin itself highlights the irony that these diverse services, and themeans for providing them, have never been combined elsewhere heretofore.

User access to systems provided according to the invention will normallybe accomplished by credit card, smart card or other identification card,but other means are contemplated as within the scope of the invention.Literally any means of positive identification of any given individualuser to the system can be implemented, such as iris or fingerprint scansand matching to user databases. Smart card access itself willundoubtedly continue to evolve as smart cards increase in theiraccommodation of data and processing speed and ability, and this willonly enhance the multiple retail and banking aspects of the preferredembodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a-3 e, five exemplary system combinations areillustrated schematically. FIG. 3 a illustrates a combined ATM and jukebox system; FIG. 3 b illustrates a combined ATM and Internet retailterminal; FIG. 3 c shows a combined ATM and insurance policy terminal;FIG. 3 d illustrates a combined dating service and travel ticketingterminal; and FIG. 3 e illustrates a combined ATM and lottery dispensingmachine. These combinations are exemplary of the various conceptualincarnations of the invention as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the multiple functionalities can be combinedvia a video touchscreen which provides for selection of a wide varietyof goods and/or services. FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of akiosk 40 including a control panel 42 having a video command touchscreen44, at least one smart card dispenser 46, a credit card reader 48,stereo speakers 50, a bill (cash) acceptor 52, a bill dispenser 54 and areceipt (printer) dispenser 56. Optionally, one of the smart carddispensers 46 may be recording means for encoding information on mediaother than smart cards, including but not limited to magnetic recordingtape; floppy or removable hard disks or drives; recordable CDs, PC cardsor PCMCIA cards and etc. A motion/sound/position sensor 58 is alsoprovided adjacent the video command touchscreen. A person using thecontrol panel 42 thus has access to all available goods and/or servicesin a single location.

FIG. 5 illustrates the control panel 42 of FIG. 4 with its coverremoved, exposing the underlying mechanical features not including thecomputerized control and optional network access means which drive thesystem. A bill dispenser security safe 55 is thus positioned surroundingthe bill dispenser 54. A bill acceptor mechanism 53 known in the artsupports the bill acceptor

A smart card safe 47 contains smart card inventory to supply to thesmart card dispenser(s) 46. A motion/sound/position device 59 supportsthe sensor 58. A printer 57 provides receipts or other printed materialsto the receipt (printer) dispenser 56. Each individual mechanismillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is known in the art, and the inventioncombines a number of them in a novel and commercially irresistible way.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a video command touchscreen 44 which isdeliberately in portrait rather than landscape orientation. Thisdeliberate orientation enhances the suitability of the command screen torelatively long, single-column selection menus such as those of theWorld Wide Web on the Internet and also adds an attractive designfeature to the kiosk containing it.

FIG. 6 illustrates a kiosk containing multiple transaction controlpanels similar to those of FIG. 4. A kiosk such as shown can housegames, automobile refueling or fast food services in automated form, orvirtually any other goods or services disclosed herein.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are side elevational views of a further embodiment ofthe invention. Segments 171 can house monitors, liquid crystal or gasplasma displays; segment 172 can house three dimensional volumetricdisplays including electromechanical games or displays or threedimensional video or holographic arrays. Kiosks such as are shown inFIGS. 7 a and 7 b may have, optionally, fold down seating and/or modularconstruction.

The invention is susceptible of widespread departure from the abovedisclosure without departing from the scope of the invention. Virtuallyany heretofore uncombined goods and/or services provision may becombined in the automated transaction terminal of the present invention.The key to the invention is the multiple functioning of the terminal ascompared to primarily single purpose devices of the prior art. Anotherway of understanding the most preferred embodiments of the presentinvention is as an ATM combined with an additional functionalitytypically found, in the prior art, only in its own freestanding device,i.e., juke box, Internet terminal, etc. Combinations of individual goodsand services can be customized to the theme or character of the intendedlocation, and the combinations are thus deliberate, not slapdash.

Notwithstanding the foregoing description, the invention is only to belimited as is set forth in the accompanying claim.

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. An integrated banking and transaction machine foruse by a consumer to purchase access to retail ATM services, comprising:an automated teller machine; a user interface to the automated tellermachine; means for identifying the user to the automated teller machine,further comprising a smart card/magnetic stripe reader/encoder and asensor; an Internet interface to an Internet connection to the automatedteller machine that uses encryption services and security services toprovide the user access to the user interface and retail ATM service;and access to the automated teller machine user interface whereupon theconsumer may selectively dispense currency using the integrated bankingand transaction machine providing the retail ATM service; wherein theconsumer can Purchase access to the retail ATM service through use ofthe user interface and Internet services connections.
 17. The integratedbanking and transaction machine according to claim 16, furthercomprising means for consummating the purchase with cash.
 18. Theintegrated banking and transaction machine according to claim 16,further comprising means for consummating the purchase with bills. 19.The integrated banking and transaction machine according to claim 16,further comprising means for consummating the purchase with coins. 20.The integrated banking and transaction machine according to claim 16,further comprising means for consummating the purchase with currency.21. The integrated banking and transaction machine according to claim16, further comprising means for consummating the purchase withencodable currency.
 22. The integrated banking and transaction machineaccording to claim 16, further comprising means for consummating thepurchase with digital cash.
 23. The integrated banking and transactionmachine according to claim 16, further comprising means for consummatingthe purchase with electronic cash.
 24. The integrated banking andtransaction machine according to claim 16, further comprising means forconsummating the purchase with encodable credit.
 25. The integratedbanking and transaction machine according to claim 16, furthercomprising means for consummating the purchase with a smart card. 26.The integrated banking and transaction machine according to claim 16,further comprising means for consummating the purchase with a creditcard.
 27. The integrated banking and transaction machine according toclaim 16, further comprising means for consummating the purchase with adebit card.
 28. The integrated banking and transaction machine accordingto claim 16, further comprising means for consummating the purchase witha stored value card.
 29. The integrated banking and transaction machineaccording to claim 16, further comprising means for consummating thepurchase with a phone card.
 30. The integrated banking and transactionmachine according to claim 16, further comprising means for consummatingthe purchase with an identification card.
 31. The integrated banking andtransaction machine according to claim 16, further comprising means forconsummating the purchase with removable media recorded with encodablecurrency, digital cash or electronic cash of variable types.